UPower Africa Team

UPower Africa Team

Dzivhu Mungani

Upower Africa’s Chairman of the board

Mr Mungani was previously employed by Eskom at Arnot Power Station as a Control and Instrumentation Engineer. He is currently working for Sasol Mining as part of engineering team responsible for Engineering Asset Management. He is also a part-time lecture of Systems and Project Management at Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Secunda satellite campus.

Growing in financial hardships, the only hope for tertiary education was on passing matric with results that will attract scholarship, bursary or financial aid. This allowed Mr Mungani to study BSc Electrical Engineering (LC) at University of the Witwatersrand sponsored by Eskom bursary. He continued beyond undergraduate study and completed his Masters in Engineering Management with University of Pretoria. Hardship did not only motivate him, it also developed in him a strong desire for community upliftment. This manifested through additional Mathematics and Physical Science classes he offered to high school leaners throughout his university years. After graduating from Varsity and together with some friends he unsuccessfully attempted to establish an alumni club for further supporting high school leaners.

Mr Rendani Tshiwalule

The CEO and Founder of UPower Africa

Mr Tshiwalule is a Geologist at Keaton energy. After completing matric with exemption in 2001 he obtained a bursary to upgrade his maths and science results. He then went to The University of the Witwatersrand to study mining engineering. In 2004, though the help of the NSFAS and MQA funding he went to the University of Johannesburg to study Geology. He then went into the mining industry to do in-service training in a coal mine in 2006 and the following year he graduated with a 3 year degree in Geology. Mr Tshiwalule then went on to work as a geological technician at Rockwell diamonds and in 2009 he got a job as a geologist at Home Land Mining and energy. He is currently working at Keaton energy as a geologist and is also a part-time student at the University of South Africa where he is doing a Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental modelling.

Mr Lenny Mashavha started his career at the University of Stellenbosch as a Junior Lecturer in Biochemistry and Mathematics while busy completing his studies, He further continued in the same role as a Biochemistry Lecturer at the University of Pretoria were he also obtained his Master degree while also employed as a Scientific Researcher, Science Communicator as well a Bio-entrepreneurship IP Officer with the department of Science & Technology. He has since left academia for a corporate role in the pharmaceutical industry where he is currently serving as a Commercial, Marketing and Sales manager at Aspen pharmacare. He is currently studying a short time course in Business management with a future goal of registering and pursuing an MBA.

Sebolelo Dikotla is an engineering line manager at Eskom Duvha Power station in Boiler plant engineering department. She has been in her current role for 15 months leading a team of 11 engineers and 6 contractors. Before she joined Duvha P/S she was employed as a Valves and Boiler Auxiliaries System Engineer and later as a Reliability Engineer at Kriel Power station from 2007-2011. In 2012 she enrolled as a full time post graduate student at university of Pretoria. She is a member of the South Africa Asset Management Association (SAAMA) and Candidate Engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). She is currently on the Middle Management Program (MMP) with Eskom

Mpho Stanley Raphulu

Non-executive director

Post Matric Qualification: Chemical Engineering

Mr Raphulu studied national Diploma in Chemical Engineering at the Vaal University of Technology. He also studied Financial Planning and Customer Service Management with UNISA. He is also a preacher of the word and a motivational speaker in his community. He has previously worked for Discovery Life and Discovery Invest as a Team Manager. He is currently working as a Team Manager at Liberty Group. He is currently studying Total Quality Management with UNISA.

Mr Dulesanang Albert Chiloane

Non-executive director

Mr. D.A. Chiloane is a very experienced Chief Process Coordinator at Sasol Secunda Operations. He was employed 32 years ago as a plant operator during the apartheid era wherein blacks were to work as operators only. Through God’s help he rose against all odds to become a first black Foreman and later a first black Process Coordinator at Sasol in the year 2001. He is an excellent communicator vertically as well as horizontally. He has excellent interpersonal skills. Whenever a new Mpumalanga Premier is appointed and they visit Sasol plant, the MD usually asks me to briefly explain the operations to the Premier and his delegate. Mr. Chiloane’s work as process coordinator entails starting and shutting down of the factory safely and systematically whenever there is a need. My main duties entail optimizing so as to make maximum products/profits from minimum resources. This means that I am a person who can think on my feet and quickly implement critical decisions. The aim is to quickly save the operations whenever an upset arises in order not to have to shut the whole complex which might take the whole week to restart but it only takes few minutes to trip. I also handle emergencies while awaiting senior management’s arrival after I had called them out. I am a person who handles pressure very well; I have developed the elephant skin. Current studies: Bible studies with Team Impact Christian University

Dzivhuluwani ‘dzivhu’ Precious Tshiwalule

Board Secretary

Post Matric Qualification: Bsc (Hons) Dietetics at MEDUNSA

Mrs Tshiwalule worked as a Community Dietician at Mopane district (Sekororo hospital) from 2011 to 2012 mainly focusing on community development projects for people living with HIV and/ AIDS. She also focused on giving dietary advice and nutritional counselling of patient with chronic diseases of lifestyle (High blood pressure, Sugar Diabetes, Cardiac disease) and other nutritional related illnesses. She did health talks to community and local radio station. Mrs Tshiwalule is currently employed by the department of health, Limpopo province at Philadelphia hospital as Clinical Dietician. She is also a Health advisor in different organisations; she has a private practice as Dietician and registered with Board of health professionals Funders (BHF) and Health professionals Council of Southern Africa. (HPCSA ). Mrs Tshiwalule is a spiritual counsellor at Gateway Church International- Bronkhorspruit. She is currently not registered but writing two motivational books “Modelling attitude towards healthy eating” and “Discover your hidden treasure”

Executive members

Gcobisa Tyebileyo

Admin and Accounts Manager

Post Matric Qualification: Banking, HR Hiring Principles, Management

Ms Tyebileyo works in the Banking industry as a Branch Administrator in different provinces. She is currently working as a Plant Admin Coordinator at one of the Minopex sites, Keaton in Delmas. Ms Tyebileyo is also a Sunday school teacher and is studying HRM through UNISA and Theology through Team Impact Christian University.

Ndivhudzannyi Modawu

Compliance & Governance Manager

Post Matric Qualification: LLB

Mrs. Ndivhudzannyi Modawu (known to her friends as `Ndi’) is a former House committee at the University of Pretoria (Tuks) Residential Hostel between 2000-2001. She worked for Dept. of Justice based at the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria as Judges Clerk serving under Judge M F Legodi in the year of 2004. She then served articles with firm of attorneys Ivan Pauw & Partners between 2005 and 2006, she also attended Law School and completed her board of examination. She was admitted as an attorney in 2006. Ndi is a member of the Law Society of the Northern Province. She is a director at Van Heerden and Brummer Incorporated since 2007 to date. She is also a director of two mining companies Turquoise Moon (Pty) Ltd and Superlane 137 (Pty) Ltd. Mrs Modawu is studying theology with Team Impact Christian University since 2014

Talifhani Walter Netshiungani

Fundraising Manager

Post Matric Qualification: National Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering

Mr Netshiungani matriculated at Matavhela Secondary School in 2004, 2005 he studied his National Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering in Tshwane University of Technology. He then started working at VeriFone Africa in 2008 as a trainee and in 2009 he joined Telkom SA as a Junior Technician. He then later joined Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd Eastern Cape Operating Unit in 2011 as a Technician after which he moved to Limpopo Operating Unit in 2013 at Bochum CNC as a Senior Supervisor and after six months he moved to Lebowakgomo CNC on level transfer. At the moment Mr Netshiungani is a Senior Supervisor at Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd in Limpopo Operating Unit who is also registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa. Mr Tshiungani is currently studying towards a Bachelor of technology Degree with both TUT and UNISA.

Lesedi Milanzi

Academic projects manager

Ms Milanzi Is an Ergonomist working for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). With over 7 years of experience in scientific research related to health and safety in the South African Mining Industry, Ms Milanzi has written a number of scientific articles which were published in high Impact Journals such as the Occupational Health Southern Africa Journal and the Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa Journal. After Obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Kinetics and Ergonomics and Psychology from Rhodes, Ms Milanzi went on to apply for recognition for Prior Learning into a master’s degree in Industrial Psychology through the University of South Africa.

Nthuseni Shonisani

Infrastructure Project Manager

Post Matric Qualification: B-Tech (Civil), DIPL (Building science)

Mr N Shonisani worked for Johannesburg Road Agency as an Asphalt coordinator and as a project manager at Department of Housing. He is currently working as a regional cost engineer at Iliad Africa. He is currently studying Project management (UNISA)

Provincial Managers

Musa Zibuyile Booysen

Provincial manager (Kwazulu-Natal)

Post Matric Qualification: Bachelor of Social Science in Development Studies

Ms Booysen is a community development activist with over 7 years of experience in working with diverse communities. She has coordinated various community development activities, capacity building and training initiatives to AIDS Foundation South Africa (AFSA) grantees provincially. She was also involved with DFID Multi- Sectoral Programme under the auspices of The Department of Social Development, providing direct mentoring to 10 DSD CBOs, strengthening capacities and performance at all levels. She was further appointed by AFSA to co-ordinate the Community Works Program in two KZN districts (Vulamehlo and Ezinqoleni), where she had 30 wards under her supervision. Ms Booysen currently a board member at Bhekuzulu self-sufficient Projects, in Northern KZN and is currently studying towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Education

A self-motivated and hardworking Geologist, with 8 years’ experience in the environmental, mining exploration, open cast work and Consulting in the mining industry. Mrs Mofokeng is currently assisting small scale miners and companies to obtain Mining rights, Prospecting rights, Mining Permits, Technical Co-operation permits, Reconnaissance permits, Exploration rights, Production rights, and all matters that involves compliance with various departments (that include Department of Mineral Resources, Department of Water and Sanitation, Department of Environmental Affairs, and etc.) for well-functioning of the mining operation and prospecting activities. Mrs Mofokeng is a member of the Geological Society of South Africa.

Nnditsheni Prudance Mulaudzi

UPower Africa Position: Provincial Manager (Limpopo)

Post Matric Qualification: N4-N6 civil engineering

Ms Mulaudzi studied at Tshwane South College where she was doing civil engineering. She did practical in the field of painting, decorating and glazing at Tshwane South College and completed level one in the skills and development department in 2013.

Ndivhuwo Lalamani

Provincial Manager (Gauteng) and UPower Africa Brand Face

Post Matric Qualification: BCom (Internal Auditing)

Ms Lalamani is a former radio personality who worked as a presenter on Phalaphala FM on a show titled “Teen Zone” from 2009 to 2011. In her first year of university studies, she was offered a bursary by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. She is a Dell Young Leader Foundation at the University of Pretoria till this day and though currently unemployed, she is busy with her studies, towards a Bcom (Internal Auditing) degree at the University of Pretoria.Ntsumbedzeni Khorommbi

Mr Khorommbi started working for Limpopo department of education as an educator in 2014. Teaching commercial subjects and specialized in accounting and economics. He is currently working as an educator in Mpandeli Secondary School.

Tshifhiwa Lavhengwa

Gauteng provisional manager
Post matric qualification: Bachelor degree
Ms Lavhengwa is a qualified internal auditor she graduated in 2013 at Tshwane University of technology (Polokwane). In 2014 she was doing a food and safety learnership at Freddy Hirch which
enrolled for a year.

Mrs Itumeleng Mokgwatshane Mabusela

Provincial Manager (Limpopo Province)

Mrs Mabusela hold an NQF level 7 certificate from the University of the Witwatersrand business school in entrepreneurship and creating new ventures. She also did a national diploma in labour relation at the Vaal University of Technology. During her working period at Home land mining as a Human resource coordinator, she was involved in a number of community development projects. Projects that involved working with pensioners and people with disability where they donated essentials such as blankets during winter periods. Mrs Mabusela was also involved in a project that built 18 hawker stands for small businesses and 20 houses for people who were removed from the mine. At the moment Mrs Mabusela is a business contractor in the construction, repair and maintenance sector. Her company also run the following small business embedded, Beauty therapy salon, even coordination, supplying different organisations with services including the municipalities. Mrs Mabusela is also a motivation speaker. Her target audience is young people who are teenagers who are going to the youth stage. Her talks involve social issues relating to spiritual, physical and financial attributes affecting teenagers.

Mpho Lineth Matshusa

Provincial Manager (Gauteng province)

Post Matric Qualification: National Diploma Internal Auditing

Ms Matshusa has worked as a student assistant in the Marketing department during opening week at Tshwane University of technology (Garankuwa) for duration of a week in 2015. During 2012 she was appointed as a youth leader of Folovhodwe Church of Nazarene where she was in charge of all youth related activities in the church. Ms Matshusa is currently a registered student at the University of Technology studying a Bachelor of Technology in Internal

Ndivhuwo Mulaudzi Ngwenya

Provincial Manager (Free State Province)

Post Matric Qualification: BSc Hons Geology

After obtaining a National Diploma from the University of Johannesburg, Ms Ngwenya joined Pamodzi Gold as a junior geologist which she later moved to Golds fields (now Sibanye Gold). She is currently working as a senior geologist at Sibanye Gold Mine in the Free State. She holds a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree which she obtained from the University of Free State.

Balanganani Thomas “Gundo” Munyai

Provincial Manager (Eastern Cape Province)

Mr Munyai a logistics personnel at Woodlands Dairy, An author who have written 6 books prospering God’s way, and marks of a successful leader to mention a few. He is also a resident Pastor at City of Life Christian Ministry at Alice and East London and a Pastor for the Ithemba Family support centre. He completed a Diploma in practical theology from Christ for The Nations Bible School. He also holds a Certificate in Community Development CFNS and a Certificate in leadership from equip (Million Leaders Mandate). John Maxwell. He further did a Diploma OHS though Oxbridge Academy. Amongst other responsibilities Mr Munyai is a project coordinator for the organisation God’s hands and feet and a board member for Eagles Wings a Non-Government Organisation (board member and in house counsellor.